Dispensing device for granular material



y 1958 R. w. OBARSKI ETAL 2,833,318

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16, 1955 ,28INVENTOfi -35a, RICHARD W. OBA Kl 27 FRED W. PITTINGER By JOSEPH V.JOLIET ATTQRNEY United States Pater l DISPENSING DEVICE FOR GRANULARMATERIAL Richard W. Obarski, Akron, Fred W. Pittinger, Cuyahoga Falls,and Joseph V. Juliet, Akron, Ohio Application'August 16, less, SerialNo. 528,672

4 Claims. Cl. 141-321 This invention relates to dispensing devices, andin particular relates to a dispensing device capable of use indispensing predetermined amounts of granular material, such as soaps anddetergents, from the containers in which the same are normally supplied.

in the marketing of soaps and detergents for home usage, the same arenormally provided to the retail buyer in a rectangular carton ofcardboard composition. Such cartons usualy include a perforated areaalong one sidewall portion thereof to facilitate removal of the cartoncontents upon opening of the perforated area to produce a pouring spout.

While the above construction permits satisfactory removal of the cartoncontents as just described, it has been discovered that certain modernwashing machines require the addition, to the wash water, of certainexact amountsof detergents, with the result that it is presentlynecessary to first dispense the detergents into a measuring cup and thensubsequently pour the cup contents into the washing machine. In additionto involving an extra step or operation, it is apparent that the abovepractice would result in excessive spillage occurring during the twopouring operations that are required to place an exact amount ofdetergent in the washing machine. Additional disadvantage is found inthe fact that once the carton is opened it is practically impossible tosatisfactorily re-seal the same, with the result that accidental tippingof the carton will result in spillage of detergent material.

As an additional disadvantage of the known prior art, it is to be notedthat the inability to re-seal cartons after the same are opened as abovedescribed operates to permit the entrance of moisture interiorly of thecarton, with the result that the remaining contents aredisadvantageously affected.

It accordingly becomes an object of this invention to provide adispensing device that is capable of being readily attached to the usualdetergent carton to dispense predetermined amounts of detergent from thecarton.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispensing devicefor detergent cartons that obviates spilling of the carton contents atany time.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dispensingdevice for detergent cartons that operates to prevent the entrance ofmoisture interiorly of the carton during periods of non-use.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upona reading of the following brief specification, considered andinterpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts oftheimproved detergent dispenser.

Figure 2 is an elevation, partly broken away and in section; andillustrating the improved detergent dispenser positioned in operatingcondition on a detergent carton that is shown in chain-dotted lines.

2,833,318 Patented May 6, 1958 Figure 3 is a section taken on the lines3-3 of Figure 2, and showing the detergent dispenser in one position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing certain componentparts of the detergent dispenser disposed in a second position.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 and 2thereof, the improved dispenser, generally designated by the numeral 10is shown as having the mounting adaptor 20 thereof mounted on the topcorner of carton C adjacent perforated flap F thereof, so that detergentmaterial contained interiorly of the carton C may be dispensed throughbafile plate 30 for reception in dispensing cup 49, in a manner to bedescribed.

Considering first the structure of the mounting adaptor 20, it will beseen that the same includes a rectangular base 21, defined on opposedsides thereof by rearwardly projecting flanges 22 and 23, that aredesigned for abutment with the front and rear wall portions of carton Cwith base plate 21 abutting against sidewall surface C of carton C.Similarly, the upper edge (see Figure 1) of base 21 defines a rearwardlyprojecting flange 24 that abuts against the top surface of carton C withprojecting flanges 24a, 24b being received against the front and rearwall surfaces of carton C. In this manner, the flanges 22 and 23 aredisposed in parallel to flanges 24a, 24b, respectively, to thus insurefirm mounting of mounting adaptor 29 with respect to carton C, withflange 24 preventing downward movement of adaptor 20 when the same ismounted on carton C.

For the purpose of preventing dislodging of adaptor 20 from carton Cduring usage thereof, the flanges 22 and 23 are shown including aplurality of struck tabs 25, 25 provided with sharp pointed ends so asto be embedded in the front and rear walls of carton C adjacent thepoint of juncture with the sidewall C (see Figure 2).

In addition to the aforementioned component parts, the adaptor 20further has the base 21. provided with a pair of apertures 26, 26a, theformer being shown as being rather large in elliptic configuration tofacilitate the passage of detergent therethrough, while the latter(aperture 26a) facilitates reception of the bafile 30 in rotatablerelationship with the adaptor 20, as will be subsequently described ingreater detail. To the end of guiding such rotation of baffle 36 whenthe same is mounted on adapter 20, there are provided a pair of guidetabs 27, 27 that are shown spaced atequal dimension from the aperture26a so as to have the inturned radial flanges 27a, 27a thereof overlyingthe baffle 30 when the component parts are assembled as shown in Figure2. Similarly, a guide stop in the form of a struck pin or tab 28 isprovided to limit the rotational movement of the baffle 30; while tab29, struck from base 21 adjacent opening 26 thereof (see Figure 2),serves to retain flap F in open position during the period of usage. Itwill additionally be noted with regard to the construction of the tab 29that the same is sprung upwardly (see Figure 2) so as to exert aclamping force on both the topwall ofcarton C and flap F, with theresult that additional clamping force, tending to retain the unit 10with respect to manner, so as to facilitate rotational mounting ofbaffle 30 with respect to adaptor 29. To permit passage through thebaffle 30 of detergents being dispensed, the baffle 30 further includesan elliptical opening 32. that communicates between faces 33 and 34 andfurther approximates the opening 26 in configuration. In this regard, itis to be noted that face 33 has approximately one quadrant portionthereof undercut as at 35 to permit reception within this undercut 35 ofpin 28, with the radial endwalls 35a,

35b of undercut 35 serving to limit the rotational move ment of baflle30 with respect to adaptor 20, as a result of respective contact betweenthese endwalls and pin 28. By like token, the opposed face 34 of baffie30 is shown provided with a raised'portion generally designated as 36,that includes straight sections 36a, 36b that are interconnected byarcuate sections 36c, 36d; the arrangement being such that these raisedsegments 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d define a seat for cup 40 with arcuateraise-d extensions 37, 37 being provided so as to underlie the inturnedradial flanges 27a, 27a of guide tabs 27, 27 when the component partsare positioned as shown in Figure 4. As indicated above, the cup 40 isseated against face 34 within'the outline of the raised portion 36 asthe same is defined by segments 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d. Accordingly, thecup 40 is defined in its axial length, by opposed parallel straight wallsections 41 and 42 that are interconnected by opposed arcuatewallsections 43 44 to define, with closure end 45, an open end cup. Tofacilitate mounting of this cup 40 with respect to baflle 30, thearcuate wall sections 43, 44 are shown defined at their open ends byarcuate flanges 46 and 47, respectively; the arrangement being such thatthe flanges 46, 47 abut against arcuate segments 36c, 3611,respectively, while the open end portions of straight wall sections 41and 42, respectively, abut against segments 36a and 36b.

In use or operation of the improved detergent dispenser 10, it willfirst be assumed that the same has been assembled with the baflle 30rotatably secured to mounting adaptor 20 as shown in Figure 2 of thedrawings. At this time, the flap F of carton C may be manuallyperforated and pushed inwardly of carton C and with the carton thusopened, the tab 29 of the adaptor 20 may be inserted throught the flapopening and the adaptor positioned on the top corner of carton C withthe flanges 22, 23 and 24, respectively engaging the front, rear and topwall surfaces of carton C. At this time, it is manifest that the sharppointed ends of tabs 25, 25 will have dug into the front and rear wallportions of carton C to thus prevent accidental disengagement of thedispenser with respect to carton C.

It will be further assumed at this point, that the dispensing cup 40 hasbeen secured with respect to the baffle 30 during the above describedpositioning of the mounting adaptor 20 on the carton C. In thiscondition of attachment, as has been previously indicated, the inturnedflanges 27a, 27a of guide tabs 27, 27 will be overlying. the arcuateflanges 46 and 47, respectively, when the same are seated in abutmentwith the arcuate segments 36c, 36d of raised portion 36. Thispositioning of the flanges-27a, 27a in overlying relationship to flanges46, 47 will prevent the cup 40 from being removed with respect to thebaflie 30; and during this time that the cup 40 is so positioned, it isbelieved apparent from Figure 3 of the drawings that the opening 26 willbe aligned with the opening 32. Accordingly, at this point, granular.material in the form of a detergent, may be admitted to the interior ofthe cup 40 from carton C by merely tipping the carton C 90 to the rightof Figure 2 of the drawings; at which time the granular detergent willflow, by the force of gravity, through the openings 26 and 32 to thusfill the cup 40. When suflicient time has elapsed to allow the cup 40 tobe filled to the extent desired, it is merely necessary that the usergrasp the cup 40 and exert manual pressure to rotate the same about hub31 in counter-clockwise direction (see Figures 3 and 4) until pin 28,acting on endwall 35a, prevents further rotational movement of the cup40 after approximately 90 have been passed.

At the completion of the above rotational movement of the cup 40, twochanges have occurred. First, because the cup 40 is seated within theraised portion 36, the baflle 30 has rotated an equivalent amount, withthe result that the opening 32 has been moved out of alignment withopening 26 of base portion 21 to thus terminate the flow of granularmaterial from the interior of the carton C. Secondly, because theinturned flanges 27a, 27a are now disposed over the arcuate extensions37, 37, it is apparent that these flanges no longer overlie the arcuateflanges 46 and 47 of cup 40, and accordingly, the cup 40 may be freelyremoved from its seated position within the raised portion 36 to permituse of the granular detergent previously entrapped therein.

When the detergent has been removed from the cup 4;), as for example, byplacing the same in the washing machine,'the cup 40 may be re-seatedwithin the raised portion 36 and rotated clockwise (see Figures 3 and.4)to the position of Figure 3, at which time the same will once again besecured with respect to the baffle 30 as a result of inturned flanges27a, 27a now overlying the arcuate flanges 46 and 47 of the cup 40 aftersuch rotation. Once again this clockwise rotational movement will belimited by the contact between the pin 28 and radial end wall 35b; isbeing understood, of course, that the just-describedclockwise'rotational movement of the cup 40 will once again operate tobring the opening 32 of baflie 30 into registry with opening 26,whereupon a fresh charge of detergent may be supplied to the cup 40 aspreviously described, for subsequent usage.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a newand novel'type of dispensing apparatus, characterized by the fact thatthe same is capable of being efliciently attached to the standard typeof dispensing carton with a minimum amount of difficulty. It has beenshown how the improved type of dispensing apparatus operates toeliminate common washday problems that occur as a result of too muchdetergent being supplied to the wash water. By use of the improveddetergent dispenser, a predetermined charge or amount of detergent isalways supplied, with the result that a uniform consistency and sudsingis obtained during repetitive washings.

It has also been shown how the improved type of dispensing apparatus isadvantageous in that the measuring cup thereof cannot physically beremoved from the baflle plate while the contents are being removed fromthe box, due to the fact that the permanently retained baflle platethereof has the access opening thereof disposed out of registry with thebox opening during the time the cup is capable of being detached frombaffle 30. This structure obviates the possibility of inadvertentspillage occurring, and additionally serves to protect the interior ofthe box from the entrance of moisture which would be detrimental to thecontents thereof. It is also believed apparent thatmaximum efiiciency ofoperation is achieved as a result of a minimum number of structurallycoacting parts being employed.

In making this disclosure, specific reference has been made to certainconfigurations and compositions in order that the full concept of theinvention might be more fully understood. It is to be understood thatsuch specific limitations in the specification are made for this purposeonly and are not in any way intended to limit the scope of the invenitonas defined by the appended claims. For example, it is apparent thatdifferent sizes of cups, baffle plates, and saddle adaptors could beemployed so long as the coaction between these parts continued as abovedescribed. Similarly, it is to be understood that the above device iscapable of dispensing other material than soap, and also that the devicecould be used in connection with different sizes and shapes of cartons,including tin containers of known type.

It accordingly follows that other modifications of the invention may beresorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing device of the character described, for attachmentadjacent the access opening of a closed container, comprising; amounting adaptor having an access opening therein; a baflie, shiftableinto and out of covering engagement with said access opening to open andclose the same to flow therethrough; a cup detachably secured to saidbaffle; and means for preventing removal of said cup from said battlewhen said access opening is opened; said means including a pair ofopposed flanges carried by said mounting adaptor and overlying opposededge portions of said cup; said baffle, said cup and said adaptor beinginterlocked when said opening of said adaptor and said bafiie are inregistry.

2. A dispensing device of the character described, for attachmentadjacent the access opening of a closed container, comprising; amounting adaptor having an access opening therein; a baflie, shittableinto and out of covering engagement with said access opening to open andclose the same to flow therethrough; a cup detachably secured to saidbafiie; and means for preventing removal of said cup from said baffieWhen said access opening is opened; said means including a raisedsurface on said bafl'le defining an undercut seat; at least one radialflange provided on a segment on said open end of said cup and beingcapable of being seated in said undercut; and at least one flangeoverlying certain portions of said undercut, whereby said flange may beshifted into and out of underlying relationship with said flange.

3. A dispensing device of the character described, for attachmentadjacent the access opening of a closed container, comprising; amounting adaptor having an access opening therein; a baffle having anopening therein shiftable into and out of covering engagement with saidaccess opening to open and close the same to flow therethrough;

a cup detachably secured to said baflie; said baflle, said cup and saidadaptor being interlocked when said opening of said adaptor and saidbaflle are in registry; said mounting adaptor including a base portioncapable of coplanar abutment with the access opening of said container;said access opening of said mounting adaptor being located in said baseportion, whereby the same is in proximity with said access opening insaid container; said base portion of said mounting adaptor including aprojecting flange that extends interiorally of said container uponattachment of said mounting adaptor thereto.

4. A dispensing device of the character described, for attachmentadjacent the access opening of a closed container, comprising; amounting adaptor having an access opening therein; a baflie having anopening therein shiftable into and out of covering engagement with saidaccess opening to open and close the same to flow therethrough; a cupdetachably secured to said baifle; said baflie, said cup and saidadaptor being interlocked when said opening of said adaptor and saidbaflie are in registry; said mounting adaptor including a base portioncapable of coplanar abutment with the access opening of said container;said access opening of said mounting adaptor being located in said baseportion, whereby the same is in proximity with said access opening insaid container; said mounting adaptor including inwardly extending tabmeans for retaining the same in contact with said containers subsequentto the attachment thereof to said container.

Wickstrom Apr. 12, 1932 Scholl July 8, 1952

